River naturalisation and load sediment detection sensor for community-based flood risk management in Indonesia

Flood management is a vital component in reducing flood volumes and mitigating the environmental impact caused by flooding. In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift towards involving communities in managing flood impacts, both through structural and non-structural flood mitigation measures. In urban areas of Indonesia, sedimentation and turbidity pose significant water quality challenges that require immediate attention. This chapter aims to enhance knowledge and paradigms in engaging communities to manage floods and improve water quality by leveraging recent technological advancements. One promising approach is river naturalisation, which involves changing the river course and planting riparian vegetation to act as a sediment trap and create detention ponds. This technique has demonstrated the potential to reduce flow velocity by up to 63%, thereby reducing the likelihood and severity of flooding. To monitor flooding levels, communities can leverage closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras placed in the field. This method enables them to maintain optimal flood volumes and minimise potential damage. Additionally, the conservation of gully plugs and the implementation of sediment detection sensors can provide significant benefits to communities for river rehabilitation, mitigating the impacts of sediment transport. Finally, by leveraging community-based knowledge and experience, communities can predict flood and sediment volumes accurately. This knowledge enables them to arrange future flood mitigation measures more effectively, thus building community resilience against future flooding events.